According to Stan Hugill, this is a famous tack and sheet shanty. Because of the many verses (he lists 20) he believes it may have been used as a halyard song (sheet shanties were usually no longer than three or four verses). Sometimes the word "pull" or "haul" was used instead of Joe.

The words and tune here are from Burl Ives. According to Eloise Linscott although the shanty was known earlier among British sailors, it was not well-known on Yankee ships until the period between 1812 and the Civil War.